U.S. diplomat now a music star in Paraguay.

Bullington, J.R.

http://www.miamiherald.com/548/story/582020.html

By Benjamin N. Gedan (Miami Herald)

Reviewed by J. R. Bullington

The U. S. ambassador to Paraguay, James C. Cason, has "become the toast of Paraguay, or at least the country's most unusual pop star," according to this feature story in the Miami Herald on June 25.

Cason, a career Foreign Service Officer who was previously chief of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, learned Guarani, a language spoken by 96 percent of Paraguayans, and discovered Guarani music during the course of his study. At his wife's suggestion he hired her piano teacher for some voice lessons, and the teacher soon paired him with the country's most celebrated soprano for a concert. The recorded Guarani songs from the concert were broadcast on local radio stations, and Cason suddenly became a star, even though he had never before sung publicly in any language. Fan mail poured into the embassy.

Next, Cason recorded a CD and gave a concert, raising more than $20,000 for scholarships for English classes in Paraguay.

Cason's tour in Asuncion is due to end this fall, and he plans to retire in Miami.